Silicone grips for golf clubs and methods of making same

ABSTRACT

Golf grips for golf clubs are provided. The grip comprises an elongated flexible sleeve that slips onto the shaft of a golf club, silicone ink applied to the sleeve surface to form printed indicia thereon, and an elongated flexible panel of silicone material wrapped around and integrally bonded to the sleeve, wherein the printed indicia is visible through the panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/761,465, filed Jan. 24, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to grips and, more particularly, to grips for golf clubs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many different types of grips used today for a wide variety of items, including without limitation, golf clubs, tools (hammer handles, etc.), racquets (hand ball, badminton, or tennis racquets), bats (baseball or softball), pool cues, umbrellas, fishing rods, etc. Slip-on golf club grips made of a molded rubber material or synthetic plastic are well known in the golf industry. The term “slip-on” as employed herein refers to a grip that slides on to a shaft or handle and is secured by way of an adhesive or the like. Slip-on grips are available in many shapes and forms.

Golf club grips conventionally are printed with some amount of text, patterns and/or graphics. For example, many golf club grips include the name of the golf club manufacturer, and/or include a logo or symbol, and/or include one or more patterns/colors. Because of their shape, slip-on type golf club grips can be somewhat difficult to print using conventional methods. Moreover, slip-on golf club grips for putters can have substantially irregular shapes and configurations that can make printing difficult. Also, the printing on conventional golf club grips can be damaged by wear and the effects of weather.

Silicone rubber is used commercially as a substitute for natural rubber products. Silicone rubber has advantageous properties over natural rubber with respect to durability, flexibility over a wide temperature range and resistance to ozone and ultraviolet attack. Because of these superior properties, some golf club manufacturers are manufacturing golf clubs with grips formed from silicone. Unfortunately, silicone can be a somewhat difficult material upon which to print using conventional methods.

Thus, a need has arisen for improved printing methods for slip-on type golf club grips, particularly silicone grips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Golf grips for golf clubs are provided. The grip comprises an elongated flexible sleeve that slips onto the shaft of a golf club, silicone ink applied to the sleeve surface to form printed indicia thereon, and an elongated flexible panel of silicone material wrapped around and integrally bonded to the sleeve, wherein the printed indicia is visible through the panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible sleeve for a golf club grip, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the flexible sleeve of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve of FIG. 1 taken along Lines 3-3.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve of FIG. 2 taken along Lines 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve of FIG. 2 taken along Lines 5-5.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the flexible sleeve of FIG. 1 with printed indicia thereon, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a flexible silicone panel that is configured to be wrapped around and bonded to the flexible sleeve of FIG. 6, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a golf club grip wherein the flexible panel of FIG. 7 has been wrapped around and integrally bonded to the flexible sleeve of FIG. 6, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of operations for forming a grip for a golf club, or other article, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the figures, the thickness of certain lines, layers, components, elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity. Broken lines illustrate optional features or operations unless specified otherwise. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as “between about X and Y” mean “between about X and about Y.” As used herein, phrases such as “from about X to Y” mean “from about X to about Y.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”, “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”, etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, “directly on”, “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of “over” and “under”. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a “first” element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could also be termed a “second” element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention. The sequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presented in the claims or figures unless specifically indicated otherwise.

Even though embodiments of the present invention are particularly suited for use as golf club grips and reference is made specifically thereto, it should be immediately apparent that embodiments of the present invention are applicable to any device/apparatus requiring the use of a hand grip, for example, tools (e.g., hammers), ski poles, racquets, and the like.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-5, an elongated flexible sleeve or underlist 10 for a grip that is configured to slip onto and be secured to a golf club shaft, according to embodiments of the present invention, is illustrated. The sleeve/underlist 10 has an internal passageway 11 configured to receive a golf club shaft. The illustrated sleeve 10 is for a putter and has a generally flat, elongated front wall portion 13 and a tapered configuration wherein a lower end (proximal end) has a circumference that is smaller than a circumference of the upper (distal) end. However, golf club grips according to some embodiments of the present invention may be designed for virtually any type of golf club, namely both putters and so-called “swing grips” for irons and woods. As such, sleeves according to embodiments of the present invention may have various shapes and configurations depending on the type of golf club on which the sleeve is to be attached.

The illustrated sleeve 10 is formed from a resilient polymeric material such as, for example, silicone, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, etc. In one embodiment, the sleeve is a two-part silicone rubber available from Dow, GE Silicone or Wacker, for example. Moreover, the sleeve 10 may comprise a “dual-durometer” material wherein hardness of the sleeve material is different at different portions of the sleeve. As is known to those skilled in the art, a durometer is an international standard for the hardness measurement of rubber, plastic and other non-metallic materials. Durometers are described in the American Society for Testing and Material specification ASTM D2240. In one embodiment, the sleeve may have a hardness range of about 50 to 70 Durometer Shore A.

The illustrated sleeve 10 includes a proximal end 12 and an opposite distal end 14. A nipple 16 is located at the proximal end 12. The nipple 16 includes an aperture 18 in communication with passageway 11 and through which a golf club shaft is inserted. The illustrated nipple 16 has a tapered outer peripheral wall portion 20 that is spaced apart from the body of the nipple 16 and that defines an upwardly facing circumferential slot 22. A cap 24 is located at the distal end 14 and has an outer peripheral wall portion 26 that is spaced apart from the body of the cap 24. The outer peripheral wall portion 26 defines a downwardly facing circumferential slot 28, as illustrated. Embodiments of the present invention, however, are not limited to the illustrated sleeve 10.

Referring to FIG. 6, printed indicia 50 has been applied to the surface 15 of the sleeve 10 of FIG. 1. The printed indicia 50 is formed by applying silicone ink via any of various methods such as, for example, screen printing. The printed indicia 50 may be applied in one or more steps. For example, the text may be applied in a first step and then the graphics may be applied in a second step, etc.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, printed indicia 50 may be applied to the sleeve material in a flat condition prior to being formed into the illustrated sleeve 30.

Referring to FIG. 7, an elongated flexible panel 30 of clear silicone that is configured to be wrapped around and integrally bonded to sleeve 10 to form a golf club grip, is illustrated. The panel may be clear (transparent) or may be translucent. The panel often has a thickness of about 0.002 to 0.006 inches. The illustrated panel 30 includes opposite first and second surfaces 32,34, opposite first and second edge portions 36,38, and opposite proximal and distal end portions 40,42. The distal end 42 has a width greater than that of the proximal end 40 and the first and second edge portions 36,38 taper outwardly toward the distal end 42, as illustrated, in order to conform with the shape of the sleeve 10. The illustrated panel 30 has a configuration such that, when wrapped around sleeve 10, the opposite first and second edge portions 36,38 will join together to define a longitudinal seam.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second edge portions 36,38 of the panel 30 are matingly joined. Additional silicone may be applied to the first and second edge portions 36,38. When heated, this silicone facilitates bonding via crosslinking of the first and second edge portions 36,38. In the illustrated embodiment, the panel proximal end 40 is received within the nipple circumferential slot 22 (FIG. 5) and the panel distal end 42 is received within the cap circumferential slot 28 (FIG. 4).

Embodiments of the present invention do not require the panel proximal end 40 to be disposed within nipple circumferential slot 22, nor require the panel distal end 42 to be disposed within the cap circumferential slot 28. The panel distal end 42 may not extend all the way to the sleeve distal end 14 according to some embodiments, and/or the panel proximal end 40 may not extend all the way to the sleeve distal end 12 according to some embodiments.

Flexible panels according to embodiments of the present invention can have any shape and configuration necessary depending upon the shape and configuration of a sleeve around which they are to be wrapped and bonded. Embodiments of the present invention, however, are not limited to the illustrated shape and configuration of panel 30. Additionally, the panel 30 has been described as wrapped around the sleeve 10; alternatively a panel may be overmolded around the sleeve 10 using conventional overmolding techniques. The panel may have a hardness range of about 5 to 50 Durometer Shore A.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, exposed panel surface 32 may be smooth or may contain patterns and/or impressions formed therein. It is recognized that the flexible sleeve 10 may separately include patterns/impressions formed therein. According to some embodiments of the present invention, panel 30 may be clear, translucent, or may have one or more colors and/or graphics/patterns thereon. The panel 30 is formed from silicone rubber available from Dow, GE Silicone or Wacker, for example.

Referring to FIG. 8, a golf club grip 60 formed by integrally bonding the panel 30 of FIG. 7 to the sleeve 10 of FIG. 6 is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the printed indicia 50 applied to the sleeve surface 15 is visible through the panel 30 bonded thereto. The grip 60 may have a total hardness range of about 20 to 80 Durometer Shore A.

Referring now to FIG. 9, operations for forming a grip for a golf club, or other article, according to some embodiments of the present invention, are illustrated. A flexible sleeve is formed from resilient material, such as rubber or silicone, into the shape of a grip for a golf club (Block 100). The flexible material may be formed into the shape of a grip in various ways including, but not limited to, molding, injecting, and the like. The flexible material may also be molded or subjected to other processes so as to impart impressions/patterns therein.

Silicone ink is applied to the surface of the flexible sleeve to form printed indicia thereon (Block 110). The silicone ink components are available from Rhodia Silicone, Dow Corning, and GE Silicone, and may be based on vinyl functionalized polydimethylsiloxane (PMDS). The printed indicia may include text, graphics, patterns, colors, etc., and may be applied to the sleeve surface in various ways. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the sleeve material may be printed with silicone ink prior to forming the material into a sleeve (i.e., the operations of Block 100 and Block 110 may be reversed).

The sleeve is then wrapped by a flexible panel of silicone (Block 120). A surface of the flexible panel is in face-to-face contacting relationship with the sleeve surface and first and second edge portions of the flexible panel are joined together to define a longitudinal seam. The panel and sleeve are then subjected to conditions sufficient to integrally bond the panel to the sleeve without the use of adhesive material (Block 130).

One or more additional layers of silicone may be applied to the grip for appearance (Block 140). Such silicone is available from Dow, GE Silicone and Wacker. For example, one or more additional layers may provide a shiny appearance, a flat appearance, patterns, abrasion resistance, ultraviolet ray protection, etc.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein. 

1. A grip for a golf club, comprising: an elongated flexible sleeve that slips onto the shaft of a golf club; silicone ink applied to the sleeve surface to form printed indicia thereon; and an elongated flexible panel of silicone material wrapped around and integrally bonded to the sleeve, wherein the printed indicia is visible through the panel.
 2. The grip of claim 1, wherein the panel comprises opposite first and second edge portions joined together to define a longitudinal seam.
 3. The grip of claim 2, wherein the panel first and second edges are joined together in mating relationship.
 4. The grip of claim 3, wherein the panel first and second edges are joined together to form a lap joint.
 5. The grip of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises silicone material.
 6. The grip of claim 1, further comprising a nipple at a proximal end of the sleeve, wherein the nipple comprises an upwardly facing circumferential slot, and wherein a proximal end of the panel is received within the slot.
 7. The grip of claim 1, further comprising a cap at a distal end of the sleeve, wherein the cap comprises a downwardly facing circumferential slot, and wherein a distal end of the panel is received within the slot.
 8. A method of forming a grip for a golf club, the method comprising: applying silicone ink to a surface of a flexible sleeve configured to slip onto the shaft of a golf club, wherein the silicone ink forms printed indicia on the sleeve surface; wrapping a flexible panel of silicone material around the sleeve, wherein the printed indicia is visible through the panel; and subjecting the panel and sleeve to conditions sufficient to integrally bond the panel to the sleeve without the use of adhesive material.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising applying a primer material to a surface of the panel that contacts the sleeve prior to wrapping the sleeve therearound.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the sleeve comprises silicone material.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the panel first and second edges are joined together in mating relationship.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the panel first and second edges are joined together to form a lap joint.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the sleeve comprises a proximal end and an opposite distal end, wherein the panel comprises a proximal end and an opposite distal end, wherein a nipple is located at the sleeve proximal end and comprises an upwardly facing circumferential slot, and wherein wrapping the panel around the sleeve comprises inserting the panel proximal end within the slot.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the sleeve comprises a proximal end and an opposite distal end, wherein the panel comprises a proximal end and an opposite distal end, wherein a cap is located at the sleeve distal end and comprises a downwardly facing circumferential slot, and wherein wrapping the panel around the sleeve comprises inserting the panel distal end within the slot.
 15. A method of forming a grip for a golf club, the method comprising: applying silicone ink to a surface of a pattern of flexible material, wherein the silicone ink forms printed indicia thereon; and forming the pattern of flexible material into a grip configured to slip onto the shaft of a golf club.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: wrapping a flexible panel of silicone material around the grip, wherein the printed indicia is visible through the panel; and subjecting the panel and grip to conditions sufficient to integrally bond the panel to the grip without the use of adhesive material.
 17. A method of forming a grip for a golf club, the method comprising: applying silicone ink to a surface of a flexible sleeve configured to slip onto the shaft of a golf club, wherein the silicone ink forms printed indicia on the sleeve surface.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising applying a coating of silicone material to the sleeve surface.
 19. A grip for a golf club, comprising: an elongated flexible sleeve that slips onto the shaft of a golf club; and silicone ink applied to the sleeve surface to form printed indicia thereon.
 20. The grip of claim 19, wherein the sleeve comprises silicone material. 